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Paris, France
Last January, Charles and I went on an art jaunt to Paris over a long weekend. We flew out on a Wednesday red-eye and returned the following Monday. During those 96 hours, we went to three museums, visited with friends and long-lost relatives, ate extremely well, shopped and strolled in numerous neighborhoods, and in general, had a magical and memorable time in the City of Light. Here is an overview of our itinerary: Day 1: Thursday I scored a great…
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The Alentejo, Portugal
Following Lisbon and our day trip to the Setúbal Peninsula, Charles and I headed east to the Alentejo, an untouched, picturesque region dominated by vast plains, rolling hills, cork oak forests, and olive groves. It’s a land of wide-open spaces with a slower way of life – and very few cars on the road. It was the ideal change of pace from the hustle and bustle of lively Lisbon. The Alentejo boasts a rich history dating back to prehistoric times,…
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Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal
After Lisbon, Charles and I rented a car and headed east to the Alentejo countryside for three nights. On the way, we spent the afternoon exploring the Setúbal Peninsula. This gorgeous region, just a short drive from the city across the Tagus River, features an array of diverse landscapes, with beautiful Atlantic beaches to the west, dramatic cliffs hovering above a turquoise coastline to the south, and a fertile interior of vineyards, farmland, and open pastures. It is hard to…
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Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is an enchanting town and region located just outside of Lisbon. It’s known for its stunning palaces, castles, and rich, green landscape – all of which make for a perfect day trip from the city. The concierge at the Palacio Ludovice arranged a full day tour for Charles and me through the tour operator, I Go Portugal. We were picked up at the hotel by our charming and quirky guide, Sonia, who packed us into her Audi and maneuvered…
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Lisbon, Portugal
Even before arriving, I knew I would love Lisbon. From what I’d read and the pictures I’d seen, it seemed like such a colorful and vibrant place. Plus, there have been many parallels drawn between Lisbon and San Francisco – my favorite U.S. city – like the undulating hills with beautiful views, the distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, and, of course, the big red suspension bridge crossing the bay (or the river, in Lisbon). So, after spending…
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Turin & the Langhe, Italy
On your first visit to Italy, it’s customary to start off with the “Grand Tour” – Venice, Florence, and Rome. For return visitors, you may want to see Milan and the lakes or Naples and Amalfi. If you should find yourself back in Italy for a third or fourth time, I highly recommend Turin, or Torino. I visited this vibrant city and the neighboring Langhe region in the fall of 2023 and was blown away by their beauty and authenticity…
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam had been on my travel shortlist for quite some time. In October of 2022, Charles and I were in London and tagged on a long weekend to visit the “Venice of the North,” as Amserdam is affectionately called due to its numerous scenic canals. I was hoping for a love affair, but the charm and allure receded after the first day – due in part to ADE, an annual electronic music festival that commandeered the city and had the…
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Costa de la Luz, Spain
After Seville, Charles and I headed to the Costa de la Luz, the western portion of Andalusia that abuts the Atlantic Ocean. This region stretches from the Portuguese border all the way down to Tarifa, the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. We stayed in Jerez de la Frontera, the sherry capital of the world, and explored the coast via a rental car. It was the one place on our Spain trip where I felt like we didn’t have enough…
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Seville, Spain
After spending several days in Seville last May, I very quickly understood why people so easily fall in love with this place. As the seat and one of the oldest and most important cities in Andalusia, Seville oozes historic charm from its narrow, cobblestone streets dotted with orange trees and elegant plazas ringed with Moorish-inspired palaces and palatial churches. It has a reputable food scene, with a mix of innovative and classic tapas bars on just about every corner serving…
